More than two-thirds of American households will experience at least one year of unemployment during their working lives. Unemployment insurance, or UI, has helped millions of workers pay their bills and connect to new work opportunities between jobs. But the system has not kept pace with changes in the labor force or the economy. With the next recession inevitably approaching, there is no better time to update this crucial part of the social insurance system, benefiting both families and the economy.

This video tells LaQuita’s story of how UI helped make ends meet for her and her family and shows why the program needs to be strengthened.

Andrew Satter is the Director of Video at the Center for American Progress.